State-owned NTPC will set up a 100 Mw power unit based on synthesis gas (coal turned into gas) and would appoint consultants for this by the end of this year.
The plant will be based on the integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC), which creates less pollution and has higher efficiency compared to conventional coal. “NTPC will appoint a consultant for dealing with all techno-economic issues relating to the project based on IGCC technology by December,” a power ministry source said.
The project is part of NTPC's ‘cleaner coal’ drive. The technology turns coal into syngas (or synthesis gas) and removes impurities from it before it is combusted. Cleaner coal technology is gaining importance as coal-based thermal power plants are heavily polluting.
Low-ash coal is a requisite for IGCC and the technology has proved effective in countires where the ash content in coal is low (up to 10 per cent). However, the technology needs to be developed further to use in India, where the ash content in coal is 35-40 per cent. The NTPC project aims to adapt the technology to Indian conditions.
“If everything goes well, NTPC would award the project by October next year. The tender documents would be finalised in March next year,” the source said.
